The Frankenstein Rubrics is showing at The Magnetic Theatre October 7-22! We reached out to Hannah Williams to find out more about her and her experience working on this production.
Tell us, in your own words, what this show is about!
This show is an exploration of how the perception of both Mary Shelley and Frankenstein have evolved over time. It questions how much of reality exists in fiction, how willing society is to accept female accomplishment, and the exaggeration and/or glamorization of historical figures over time.
Do you relate to your character or to any character in the show? How similar / different are you?
I definitely relate to Mary. I can easily remember what it was like to be young and with a first love, all of the feelings that came out of that, and how I had to learn to come back to myself after it was gone. It's very exciting to explore that through Mary in this show as she combines all of that with being directly faced with public opinion of her, the passing of time, and seeking a way back to what was lost.
What are 5 songs you feel represent this show?
I'm not sure if these represent the whole show as much as they explore moods I'm experimenting with for Mary, but some current songs in my Frankenstein playlist are: Frankenstein - A Judgemental Swarm of Bees, Kill Me - Indigo De Souza, Paralyzer - Finger Eleven, Gold Rush - Taylor Swift, and a good portion of the Bridgerton soundtracks to open that past/present hybrid headspace.
How is working with The Magnetic different from working with other theatres?
Working with The Magnetic is different than working for other theatres because of the amount of new work you get the opportunity to explore. There's an exciting chance to create a character on stage for the first time. I love having this space to explore, experience, and support new work in Asheville.
Have you done any research or read any books / listened to any interesting podcasts related to the play's subject matter that you'd recommend?
In addition to countless articles and podcast episodes on the characters' real lives, I've spent a lot of time reading Mary Shelley's journals. She and Percy began keeping a daily log of their lives the day they eloped, and it's provided incredible insight on Mary's personality and how she grew over time, especially after Percy's death. I also of course must recommend the feminist classic, Gilbert and Gubar's The Madwoman in the Attic, a critical examination of the 19th century female author's imagination.
Do you have any upcoming projects that we should check out?
Yes! I'm working on Calliope Shorts: Campfire Stories taking place October 27-29, and I'm working on a Sherlock Holmes Christmas Mystery at Black Mountain Center for the Arts this December!
Biography
Hannah Williams (she/her) is a director, actor, producer, and intimacy choreographer. As an actor, some of her favorite past roles include Sibella (A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Parkway Playhouse) and Percy (The Spitfire Grill, Dunes Summer Theatre). Hannah can often be found working at the Asheville Symphony, Theatrical Intimacy Education, and The National Women's Theatre Festival. She is a member of the Arts Equity Coalition with the Asheville Area Arts Council and is Chair of the Disability Inclusion Committee with the Southeastern Theatre Conference. More information about Hannah can be found at www.mshannahcat.com and pictures of her cats can be found on Twitter and Instagram at @mshannahcat.
The Frankenstein Rubrics is showing October 7-22, 2022! Grab your tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=132412